Chapter Eighteen
They had just finished eating leftovers in the kitchen when Hunter’s mom picked up Willow’s hand. “It’s a beautiful ring you’re wearing. Are you engaged?”
Willow swallowed, overly aware of everyone, including Hunter, looking at her, “I … it’s Hunter’s ring, but I’m not sure if we are in fact, still engaged.”
“Oh, my goodness, you two!” Jade said as she got up. “Make up your minds! It’s not that difficult. Hunter, take her to your house and discuss whatever this thing between the two of you is, I’ll clean up the kitchen. Willow, do you need anything. I don’t see a bag?”
Willow got up. “I … the trip wasn’t planned, but I did get the most of what I’ll need in the shops at the airport, thanks. It’s in the car, I’ll get it later. Thanks for dinner, Mrs. Grant …”
“Tess, please my dear. You’re welcome. There is a spare bedroom if need be.”
“Willow will be staying with me,” Hunter said.
Willow hugged his words closely to her heart. It wasn’t an everything-was-okay kinda sentence, but it was something. Willow turned to Hunter’s dad. “Thanks, Mr. Grant …”
“And I’m Harlan, please. Both of you look ready to drop. Take her to your cabin, Son.”
Muttering under his breath, Hunter took her arm.
They walked a short distance to a tiny cabin. Hunter hurried along, she was struggling to keep up and couldn’t see much else. Within minutes, she would know whether she was staying or driving back to the airport.
Opening the door to the cabin, he waited for her to step inside. Her eyes immediately fell on the paintings she’d made of him. All three were leaning against the wall.
“You really did buy the paintings,” she murmured. “Gary told me, but I couldn’t quite believe it.”
He didn’t answer, just closed the door behind him and leaned against it.
Her legs were kind of rubbery, so she looked around for a place to sit. It was really small with just a small kitchen, a couch, and a bed. She chose the bed and sat down, facing him.
“Why are you here, Willow?”
“I told you …”
“No, you haven’t.” His eyes were hooded, not giving anything away.
“I love you.”
“And I love you, but days ago it wasn’t enough.”
“I was scared.”
“And now?”
“I’m more afraid of never being with you again. Jade was the one who made me aware that I’ve used my sixth sense as an excuse because I’ve been so petrified of getting hurt again.”
For another moment he stared at her. “I need a shower.” Pulling his shirt from his jeans, he walked toward a door in the corner of the cabin. He didn’t close it behind him and within seconds, the sound of water falling reached her.
Jumping up, she walked to the front door. She’d give it one more shot. If it didn’t work, there was only one thing for her to do—leave. The bag with the few things she’d bought at the airport was still in the car, though.
As she opened the door, she saw the bag on the stoop.
Someone, probably Jade had left it outside the front door.
Grabbing the bag, she moved back inside.
Quickly, she undressed. Buck naked, she walked toward the bathroom, her blood rushing so loudly through her veins, she couldn’t hear anything else.
*
Pressing his hands against the tiles in the shower, Hunter dropped his head.
Willow was here, in Colorado, in his room.
She’d flown all the way from Montana today to see him.
He wanted so badly to believe this time nothing would keep them apart, but even though he’d mentioned having a long-distance relationship first, he wasn’t sure how it would work.
He wasn’t sure whether he’d survive being without her, even for a short period of time.
A soft sound behind him was the only warning before warm curves pressed against his body and Willow slipped her arms around him.
He responded like a starving man. With a groan her turned around and caught her close to him arms. “I’ve missed you,” was all he managed before his mouth met hers in a searing kiss.
As he sipped from her lips, the deep sadness of the previous few days vanished and was replaced by sheer joy.
Lifting his head, he cupped her face. “I love you and I want to be with you, but I don’t know if I’ll survive you leaving me again.”
“We’ll find a way,” she said, bending down to trail her lips over his chest. “But can we talk later? Right now, I’m in the shower with a hot cowboy and have more important things to do.”
“I like the sound of that. Kiss me? It’s all I’ve been thinking about …”
Her mouth was on his before he could finish his sentence.
*
A week later, Willow was back in her house on the Weston ranch, unpacking the few things she’d bought at the airport. She’d tried to keep the tears at bay when she’d left Hunter, but from the moment she’d driven away from their ranch, she’d cried ugly tears all the way to the airport.
This was what a long-distance relations meant, she’d simply have to get used to it.
It was Monday, Christmas was in two days.
Everyone knew she couldn’t cook so she was never asked to make anything, but the table decoration was usually her responsibility.
It was something she always enjoyed doing, but how to get in the Christmas spirit when all she could think of was missing Hunter, she had no idea.
Well, she was an independent modern woman. Being on her own was something she was used to. Of course she would’ve loved to stay with Hunter, but he had a ranch to run and there wasn’t really anything for her to do over there. Next time she visited him, she’d take her art supplies with her.
Fortunately, she had more than enough to keep her busy.
Apart from commissions she’d received after the Seattle exhibition, it was also time to start thinking what she wanted to do for an exhibition in New York in the new year, when the works of Montana artists would be on display.
She’d known about it for a while but had been focusing on paintings for the Seattle gallery.
Now she was back in her own place, she had all the time in the world to paint.
A knock on her front door was followed by Laura’s voice. “Willow?”
“I’m here!” she called, hurrying out of her room, happy to see her sister-in-law.
“We’re here too!” Rose called out laughing as all three her sisters-in-law entered her house.
“Oh, it’s so good to see all of you!” Willow cried out, hugging all of them. “Come, I can do with a cup of tea.”
“I’ve brought cookies,” Laura said carrying a plate in her hand.
As Willow put on the kettle, Ellie and Rose found chairs at the table.
“Let me get the cups and plates,” Laura said.
“We’re dying to know what happened in Colorado and what’s going to happen now,” Ellie said.
“Last we heard, Hunter was on his way back to Colorado,” Laura said. “And then we received a message to say you’re on your way to see him, he’s been hurt.”
“Okay, I have a question,” Rose said. “Where did things go wrong? Why did you send him away again when he showed up in Seattle?”
Chuckling, Willow finished making the tea before she joined them.
“The ring was sort of the reason why I ended up going to see Hunter. By last Monday I was still struggling to get the blasted thing off my finger …” Quickly she told them about her trip to Bozeman, her conversation with the sales lady and her frantic rush to get to Hunter when she realized something had happened to him.
“So what?” Ellie asked. “Are you back together again?”
Willow nodded. “We’re going to see if the long-distance thing can work for us.”
Rose was frowning. “So, you’re engaged again?”
“Well, actually I’m still engaged to Hunter, I couldn’t get the ring off my finger!” Willow smiled and held up her hand.
“But you still don’t want to get married?” Rose asked again.
“It’s just not possible. He’s in Colorado and I’m here,” Willow said. “It’s going to be challenging, but we’re going to try.”
“What did you tell his parents?” Laura asked.
“The same thing. They’ve been very kind to me. Hunter will be visiting at the end of December and then we’ll see what our schedules look like next year.”
“But don’t you want to be with him all the time?” Ellie asked.
“Of course I do, but there isn’t much we can do about the situation.”
“You could move to Colorado,” Ellie said, picking up her cup.
Willow moved restlessly in her chair. “My life is here. My family is here. Mom is getting older, she’s just given us a huge scare. I can’t just pack up and follow a guy I barely know.”
Ellie’s eyebrows rose. “I thought you loved him.”
“I do, but …”
“Sounds to me you’re still keeping a backdoor open,” Laura said. “Just in case things don’t work out between you two.”
“No, that’s not what this is …” Willow said, somewhat ticked off.
“You know what this reminds me of?” Rose asked.
“Persuasion, the book we’ve discussed in the book club.
I think it was Annie who’s mentioned the introduction in her copy of the book.
Apparently, Jane Austen had written to her niece, encouraging her to avoid committing to someone if she wasn’t really in love.
So, I’m just wondering—are you scared to commit because you’re not sure of your feelings for him? ”
“Of course not. I love Hunter!” Willow called out in frustration.
Rose grabbed her hand. “When I fell in love with Cooper I had only one wish—to be with him. Always. We love you, Willow. In your own way, you’ve persuaded all of us to give love a chance when we were too scared.
It’s now our turn to do the same. Love, I’ve learned, is not happy with just sometimes, it insists on all the time. ”
“For someone who is wearing a ring, you don’t look very happy,” Laura said. “You can live anywhere; you can paint anywhere. And as for your family, we’re always here whenever you want to visit us.”
“What’s more,” Ellie added, “Your mom would love to visit you in Colorado. You know how excited she always is to travel when you have an exhibition in another state.”